Leg protecting device



Jan. 2s, 1936. H. C, PALM 2,028,947

LEG PROTECTING DEVICE Filed July 18, 1932 Patented Jan. 28, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LEG PBOTECTING lDEVICE Herman C. Palm, Chicago, lll. Application July 18, 1932, Serial No. 623,047 4 Claims. (Cl. 36-2) This invention relates to leg protecting devices and has for its object to provide a new and improved device of this description.

The device is adapted to be worn on all occasions and also to Yprotect the legs from bites of mosquitoes, flies, spiders and other insects, and Krom the sting of bees, yellow jackets and the like, and from the bites of reptiles of various kinds. With the present wearing apparel, when women go out to the beach or other places where there are mosquitoes and flies, these mosquitoes and flies become unbearable and the women cannot remain. Furthermore, when the mosquitoes or flies bite the legs, in addition to the discomfort, blood spots are formed on the stockings.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide means of doing away with all such objectionable features and permitting women to remain with comfort in such places. The invention has further objects which are more particularly pointed out in the accompanying description.

Referring now to the drawing, Fig. 1 shows one form of device embodying the invention in position on the leg:

Fig. 2 shows an enlarged view oi the device separate from the leg;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 2; Y

Fig. 4 is anenlarged sectional view of the rear upper back portion of the device;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view vtaken on line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 6 6 of Fig. 3.

Like numerals refer to like the several figures.

Referring now to the drawing, I have shown a protecting device consisting of a body portion i made of suitable material and which encircles the leg. This body portion may be of transparent material in the form of netting, or of any other suitable material. At the top the device is made adjustable so that it may be adjusted to suit the parts throughout v size of the leg of theperson using it.

In the construction shown I provide at the top a band 2 with a buckle 3 arranged to tighten or loosen the band as desired. Located at the top and bottom and connected with the body portion are the springs I and 5 which are preferably spring wires with a suitable covering. These g springs are formed in oval shape so that the device will be of an oval shape, more or less pointed at the front.

0n the inside of the device I provide means for holding it away from the leg. In the construction shown this means. in addition to the springs l and 5, consists of a series of balls 6, one set being arranged at the top and the4 other at the 5 bottom. These balls, being on the inside, come in contact with the leg and the foot or ankle at the bottom and insure the holding o1' the body portion I out away from the leg and prevent the spring from contacting with the leg. 'I'hese balls 10 may be fastened in position in any desired manner, and I prefer to attach them to the springs 4 by flexible attaching pieces l. 'Ihese balls may be made of soft or cushioning material and thereby form movable cushions which will not chafe or otherwise in'itate the skin of the leg.

I prefer to provide the device, both at the top and the bottom, with fringes l and 9. The fringe 5 at the bottom, having the series of cords, acts also to increase the protective feature of the device. The device is made larger at the bottom than at the top so that it will fit over the top of the shoe to be sure to enclose all of the stocking, and thus protect all of the vulnerable points.

By using the springs at the top and bottom and by making the device oval shape so that itis more or less pointed at the front, I am enabled to secure sumcient space between the material of the body portion and the leg to insure proper protection, and at the same time form the device so that it does not interfere with walking, and thedevices on the two legs will not rub against each other, and also so that the wind does not atten them when walking.

Any suitable decorative features may be added as desired. Ordinarily the body portion l will be transparent, but if desired, as where there are very coarse veins or other defects which it is desired to hide, the body portion may be camou'aged or made so that the leg does not show 40 through it. It will be seen that these protective devices, unlike trousers or pajamas, will not work up on the ieg but will remain in the protecting position at all times, either when the use is standing, walking or sitting.

It is of course evident that any suitable adjusting means may be utilized at the top, and I have shown an ordinary buckle I for this purpose, the detailed construction of, which is illustrated in Fig. 5. 'I'his is simply an ordinary 50 tightening buckle which permits the band to be tightened around the ieg sufliclently to hold the device in position.

I have shown in Fig. 4 the particular details of the construction of the upper edge of the device 55 and I have shown in Eig. 6 the particular details of the lower edge. It is o1' course evident that these particular details may be varied in many particulars without departing from the spirit of 5 the invention as embodied in the claims hereto appended. Y

The device maybe used with or without lthe usual stockings. These devices can be put on and taken off easily and quickly,. and when not in use occupy a very small amount o! jspace. When transparent; mesh material is l,used air and sunlight can -easily reach the legs.

It will be seen that I have here a protection against the bites of insectsand the like which is easily applied and which can be made up at low cost and which is eective in preventing the discomfort of the user.

I claim: 1. A leg protecting device comprising a body portion, encircling spring members at the ends of said body portion, and a series of separated cushion members on the interior o1.' said body portion -which engage the leg at separated points. 2. A leg protecting device comprising a body portion. encircling spring members at the ends of said body portion, and a series of separated cushion members on the interior of said body portion, said cushion members suspended by exible connections connecting them in position, said cushion members having swinging connections 5 with said spring members.

3. A leg protecting' device' comprising a body portion, encircling spring members at the ends of said body portion, and a series of separated cushion members on the interior of said 'body por- 10 tion, said cushion members connected with said spring members, said cushion members engaging the vleg at separated points.

4;,A leg protecting device comprising a body portion, means at the upper and lower ends of l5 said body portion for holding it away from the leg, an adjustablefastening band at the upper f end of said body portion vand located above the means .for holding they body portion away from the leg, a series of balls located at intervals about 20 the upper means for holding the body portion away from the leg and suspending cords connecting vsaid balls to said means for holding said body portion away from the leg. HERMAN C. PALM. 25 

